Slugger to leave Cardinals as LA swoops in

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The Los Angeles Angels swooped in to win the Albert Pujols sweepstakes with a quarter-billion dollar offer the superstar slugger just could not refuse.

With his old team the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins engaged in a bidding war for the first baseman's services, the Angels appear to have blown everyone out of the water with a 10-year offer that may be as much as $260 million.

The Angels' rookie general manager, Jerry Dipoto, pulled off the deal. But, with Pujols set to turn 32 in January, the deal may last longer than his days as a productive player. He's actually coming off the worst season in his illustrious 11-year career, having failed to bat .300 or drive in 100 runs for the first time.

A sure Hall of Famer, Pujols has a lifetime batting average of .328 with 445 home runs and 1,329 runs batted in. He's been the National League's Most Valuable Player three times.

ESPN reported that the Angels jumped into the bidding late Wednesday after speculation had it down to a two-team race to sign the star.

Sports Illustrated reported that the Angels had a big advantage in chasing Pujols, after signing a new TV deal that raised television revenues by $100 million per year.